N138 Exam 1 2026 – 200 Expert Verified Questions & Answers on Transition Theory, Nursing Roles, Legal Issues and Professional Standards

This document contains approximately 200 expertly verified exam questions and answers for N138 Exam 1 (2026), organized across 21 structured pages in a clear Q&A format. The material comprehensively covers major nursing transition theories including Transition Theory (universal experiences over time), Bridges’ Transition Model (Endings, Neutral Zone, New Beginnings), Benner’s Novice to Expert continuum, and Schumacher & Meleis’ Types of Transitions (developmental, situational, health–illness, organizational, environmental, individual/dyad/family) as outlined on pages 1–3 and 17–19. It also integrates Holmes and Rahe’s stress scale, Bloom’s Taxonomy levels of thinking, Joint Commission Sentinel Event Alerts on workplace civility, and recent transitions and social changes in nursing (pages 4–7). The guide thoroughly explains professional nursing foundations including ANA definition of nursing, scope of practice, ANA Standards of Care, criteria of a profession, expanded career goals (NP, CNS, CRNA, CNM, educator, scientist), and traditional nursing roles such as caregiver, advocate, communicator, educator, and manager (pages 7–10, 19–20). Legal and ethical concepts are comprehensively addressed, including Good Samaritan Act protections, Board of Registered Nurses composition (9 members, 4 non-RNs), negligence vs malpractice distinctions (statute of limitations 3 years vs 2 years), elements required to prove negligence (duty, breach, harm, proximate cause), respondeat superior, contributory negligence, informed consent, intentional torts (assault, battery), HIPAA privacy rules, defamation, advanced directives, and invasion of privacy (pages 13–17). Additional content includes delegation principles, independent/dependent/interdependent nursing actions, ways to decrease liability, practice boundaries hierarchy (law → standards → policy → personal ability), professional organizations (ANA, CNA, ANA/C), recipients of care distinctions (consumer, patient, client), critical professional values, and strategies for successful ABSN transition stages (honeymoon, conflict, reintegration) as described in the Utley Smith model (page 21). The structured format reinforces exam preparation through concise, high-yield definitions aligned with foundational nursing coursework. This document is particularly suitable for: Nursing students enrolled in N138 Foundations or Professional Nursing courses First-semester BSN or ADN students preparing for Exam 1 Accelerated BSN (ABSN) students navigating academic and professional transition Students reviewing nursing law, ethics, and professional standards Learners seeking a comprehensive transition theory and legal concepts study guide It serves as a complete and exam-focused review resource designed to reinforce transition theory frameworks, professional identity development, nursing roles, legal accountability, patient rights, ethical standards, and scope of practice concepts essential for success in foundational nursing education. Keywords: N138 exam 1 2026, Transition Theory nursing, Bridges transition model stages, Benner novice to expert continuum, Meleis transitions developmental situational health illness organizational, Holmes Rahe stress scale, Bloom taxonomy nursing, ANA definition of nurse, scope of nursing practice, ANA standards of care, Good Samaritan Act nursing, negligence vs malpractice nursing, elements of negligence duty breach harm proximate cause, respondeat superior doctrine, informed consent battery assault, HIPAA privacy rules nursing, independent dependent interdependent actions, Board of Registered Nurses composition, ABSN transition stages honeymoon conflict reintegration